» Site Navigation | | » Recent Threads | 1999 M3 Swap 09-07-2023 10:10 PM Today 08:18 PM 6 Replies, 317,296 Views | | | | | | 06-30-2014, 08:19 AM | #1 | Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 8 | Apprehensive about Cooling DIY Hi all, My M44 Z3 is due for a cooling overhaul. I've done simple DIYs like spark plugs, distributors (on another car), brakes, differential fluid changes, and oil changes. My question is, should I try and tackle the cooling system DIY or should I try and pay some local shop to do it for me? It seems like most of the sub-bonnet components need to come out to access that coolant connector...and I've never done a job quite so involved. Any advice? How much should a shop charge for this job in the Bay Area, CA? Thanks. | | | 06-30-2014, 08:38 AM | #2 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,451 | Not sure about the Z3 layout specifically, but it should not be that hard to accomplish. The Y pipe on the back of the head is hard to get at on a TI without pulling off the Valve cover, not how accessible it is on a Z3. That's in my opinion the hardest part. All other are pretty manageable. Where in the bay area are you? __________________ 1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top 1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52 1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior 1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it 1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP 1995 318ti Active - RIP 1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold 1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold 1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold 1985 635csi sold 1984 533i "Max" Sold 1984 318i sold BMWCCA #160411 SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 06-30-2014, 05:14 PM | #3 | Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 8 | Oh ok - yeah it's just I've never had to dismantle just about everything to do a diy so I wasn't sure if I should leave this one to the pros or not. The M44 layout in the Z3 is pretty much identical to the ti which is why I thought this would be a good place to ask. I'm in Berkeley, CA. | | | 06-30-2014, 05:26 PM | #4 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,451 | Quote: Originally Posted by arcticZ3 Oh ok - yeah it's just I've never had to dismantle just about everything to do a diy so I wasn't sure if I should leave this one to the pros or not. The M44 layout in the Z3 is pretty much identical to the ti which is why I thought this would be a good place to ask. I'm in Berkeley, CA. | Ha! I passed Berkley three times this weekend. PM me, if I'm around there this weekend maybe we can meet up somewhere and we can have a look. If I can look under a hood of a Z3 1.9, I'd have a more accurate description. I know it is tighter, but that was on my brothers Z3 3.0. PM me your contact info. maybe I'll trade you help for some sanding paint time on my boat. Cheers, Rich __________________ 1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top 1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52 1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior 1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it 1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP 1995 318ti Active - RIP 1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold 1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold 1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold 1985 635csi sold 1984 533i "Max" Sold 1984 318i sold BMWCCA #160411 SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 06-30-2014, 08:40 PM | #5 | Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 8 | Sounds good - I think you'll have to PM me because I'm still a junior member on this forum. Thanks for the offer by the way. | | | 07-01-2014, 01:44 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 1,364 | If it turns out that Rich can't help you out, keep in mind that any competent mechanic can perform a cooling system refresh on your Z3. You don't have to take it to an expensive BMW dealership for such work...and I can only begin to imagine what a dealer in the San Fran Berkeley area would charge per hour. Last edited by jca; 07-11-2014 at 09:27 PM. | | | 07-10-2014, 11:42 PM | #7 | Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 8 | Alright so I ordered the parts. I was inspecting the general layout of the car the other day when I noticed some white staining on the inner corner of the visible part of that coolant connector on the side of the block. Is this indicative of a very slow coolant leak, alluding to imminent failure - I'm thinking I should ground the car until I have the system overhauled. Thoughts? | | | 07-11-2014, 07:52 PM | #8 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 315 | If you're able to ground it until you can complete the work, that is the best option. But if you must drive it, keep a close eye on the coolant level and keep it full. But remember, when that block connection is leaking, you are on borrowed time, so I would get it done as soon as you can. | | | 07-11-2014, 09:33 PM | #9 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 1,364 | Rule of thumb for all BMW's: Keep an eye on your temp guage. If the needle ever goes past 12 o'clock, pull off the road immediately, shut off the engine, and locate the problem. Don't try to limp home with an overheating engine, the guage doesn't have to go into the red zone, to result in a blown headgasket or worse. Ask me how I know! Cheers, John | | | 07-11-2014, 10:41 PM | #10 | Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 8 | Tell me about it. My E39 started to push from the 12 o'clock last year and I did just that (luckily no blown gasket, just a slow coolant leak under the intake manifold that went unnoticed). Ever since that I've contracted overheatophobia, so I watch the temp gauge more frequently than my speed, even on brand new cars fresh from the dealer... Gotta love BMWs | | | 07-11-2014, 11:05 PM | #11 | Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,451 | Animesh, if you are speaking of the Y connector on the back of your M44, please take and post a pic of your engine compartment with an emphasis on the back of the valve cover. Take a few pics. Just want to get an idea of access to the plastic connector relative to the firewall and cabling harnesses. Call me this evening after posting photos. 1998 & 1997 318ti Sport Schwartz II 1995 318ti Active Alpineweib III __________________ 1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top 1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52 1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior 1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it 1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP 1995 318ti Active - RIP 1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold 1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold 1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold 1985 635csi sold 1984 533i "Max" Sold 1984 318i sold BMWCCA #160411 SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE! Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW! | | | 07-12-2014, 04:49 AM | #12 | Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 1,364 | Quote: Originally Posted by arcticZ3 Tell me about it. My E39 started to push from the 12 o'clock last year and I did just that (luckily no blown gasket, just a slow coolant leak under the intake manifold that went unnoticed). Ever since that I've contracted overheatophobia, so I watch the temp gauge more frequently than my speed, even on brand new cars fresh from the dealer... Gotta love BMWs | Google Engine Watchdog from Australian Signals. Watches your temp for you and buzzes loudly when the temp exceeds your preset figure. Install it then set the buzzer to go off just above your engine's max temp on a hot day. That way you get a warning before your water temp needle starts to creep up. Cheers, John | | | 07-25-2014, 07:30 AM | #13 | Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 8 | I had a surprise day off today and tackled the cooling system overhaul. I think start to finish it took me a little over 10 hours. I think the biggest PITA was the hose clamps on some of those really tucked away hoses and getting that air duct off the radiator. I'll post a couple pictures in the coming days. Rich - to answer your question about the firewall/valve clearance, it wasn't too bad. I actually found that getting the hose clamps on and off the Y connector was harder than actually replacing the connector itself. To bolt it in, I used my left arm and stuck it through the back of the valve cover from the passengers side of the vehicle and then felt for the connector bolts. Once located, I got my socket on it and it came right off. Did the same thing for the reinstall - additionally used a mirror to ensure it was seated correctly against the block. Luckily I didn't have to pull off the valve cover. Thanks everyone who took the time out of their day to provide some insight on this thread. I'm definitely feeling accomplished! Last edited by arcticZ3; 07-25-2014 at 07:35 AM. | | | | Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | |